Outlet fitting



Fel; 16,1926. s

' R. B. BENJAMN OUTLET FITTING Filed Nov. 2l, 1917 5 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 16 1926.

R. B. BENJAMIN OUTLET FITTING Filed Nov. 2l, 1917 5.Sheets-Sheet 2 &\\\\\\\\\\\\ i www MQW? m I v l 5.

R. B. BENJAMIN OUTLET FITTING Feb. 1e 1926. 1,573,440

Filed'Nov. 2l, 1917 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 muil I Feb. 16 1 926. 1,573,440

R. B. BENJAMIN OUTLET FITTING Filed Nov. 21, 1917 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 a J V @Y k f/ff 12 21+ l Feb. 16 1926.

R. B. BENJAMIN OUTLET FITTING Filed Nov. 21, 1917' 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 PatentedFeb. 1e, 1926.

UNITED STATES` BEUBEN 1B. BENJAMIN, OF. CHICAGO,

PATENT oFElcE.

ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB TO BENJAMIN ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,

A CORPORATION OF IIIIILVJIIN'O'JS.

OUTLET FITTING.

Application ld November 21, 1917. Serial No. 203,078.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I. REUBEN B. BENJAMIN. a citizen of the United States,residing at e Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented new and usefrul Improvements in Outlet Fittings, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference accompanying'v drawing, forming a part of this specification. y

My invention relates to outlet fittings. One of the objects of my invention is to provide improved means whereby various electrical fixtures and devices can be inter- -ehangeably installed quickly and easily and without disturbing the wiring system.v Further objects will appear from the detailed description to follow and from the appended claims.

In the drawings, in which various embodiments of my invention are shown- Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of an outlet iitting embodying my invention;

. Fig. 2 isa section on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of 'f ig. 1'

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of f Fig. 1; Y.

-Fig.-5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2; v' l Fig. 6 is a vertical section showing another form invention; s

'35 Fig. 7 ,is a secion lon the line 7-7 of Fig. 9 shows another form of fitting embodying my invention;

Fig. 10 is a section on the line 10-10 of Fig. 9:

' Fig. 11 is a'vertical axial section of another form of outlet fitting embodying my invention, the section being on the line 11-11 of Fig. 12;` l

Fig. 12 is a bottom view of Fig. 11; Fig. 13 is an axial view showing another .form of my invention; v Fig. 14 is a face view of an outlet tting showing another form of my invention; l Fig. 15 is a section on the line 15-15 of Fig. 14; g

8 isV ion the line 3-8 of being had to the of outlet fitting embodying my Fig. 16 is a view of the inner face of the receptacle member used in connection with Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is a section on the line 17,--17 of Fig. 15;

Fig. 18 is a section on the line 18-18 of Fig. 15;

Fig. 19 is an axial section of another form of outlet fitting embodying my invention;

Fig. 20 is a front view of another form of outlet fitting embodying my invention;

Fig. 21 is a section on the line 21-21 of Fig. 20;

Fig. 22 is a section on the line 22-22 of Fig. 20;

Fig. 23 is a section on the line 23-23 of Fig. 22;

Fig. 24 is a section on the line 24-24 of Fig. 22; I

Fig. 25 is a section on the line 25-25 of Fig. 4;

A Fig. 26 is a bottom plan view of Fig. 25;

Fig. 27 is a section on the line 27-27 of Fig. 16': and

Fig. 28 is a bottom plan view of Fig. 27.

Referring n ow tol the drawings in detail,

vand first to the form shown in Figs. 1 to 5,

inclusive, the structure here shown com-l prises an outlet box 30, a cover 31 for the outlet box, a wiring base 32 to which the leading-in wires 33 are connected, a. bracket 34 for supporting the wiring base 32. an electricalA connector device 35 fonmaking electrical connection with the wiringbase 32, an annular threaded connecting and supporting member 36 secured *to the bracket 34, and an annular threaded supporting and connecting `ring 37 having a screw-threaded engagement with the connector member 36, the ring 37 serving to hold the electrical connector device 35 in position and also being provided withhooks 38 to which chains 39 may be secured for supporting a suitable lampixture device. such as an indirect lighting bowl, or the like. l

The outlet box 30 is provided with inwardly-extending ears 40 to which the bracket 34 may be secured byv means of screws 4l.

In order that the bracket 34 may be attached and detached without taking out the screws 41, the foot 42 of the bracket 34 is provided with a slot 43 having an enlarged portion 44, large enough to permit the head' of the screw 41 to pass therethrough, and

' the foot 45 ofthe bracket is provided with a slot 46 which is open at the outer edge.

6 By loosening the screws 41 slightly, the

brackety 34may be detached from the outlet box 30 my slipping it Sidewise until the enlarged portion 44 of the slot 43 registers :with the head of the screw, slipping the foot 10 42 outward over the head of the screw, and

then slipping the bracket sidewise still farther until the foot 45 is.. clear of the 'screw 41. The cover 31 may be o f any suit- `\able ornamental configuration. and is se- 15'cured in position by means of 'a threaded tion 47a. which carries the Awiring base andy portion' 47 which engages with the threaded portion-of the connecting member 36. The bracket 34 comprises, inaddition to the foot portions 42 and 45, an intermediate flat porreceptacle member 32 and the lamp fixture device 3,9, two securing members 47b located on opposite sides of the axis of the lampfixture, and extending parallel thereto. and terminating in the fiat foot portions 42 and V'45. It will be noted that the foot portions 42 and 45 extend laterally bevond the edges of the outlet box 30, into engagement with the material 47 c surrounding the outlet box, wherebythis material 47 c will serve to position the bracket 34 when the screws 41 are drawn up.` `It will also be noted that the innervedgevof the canopy 31 engages this material- 47.c surrounding the outlet box so that the wiring base and receptacle member 32, and the canopy 31 will both be positioned with respect to the same supporting surface,

'n that is to say. with respect to the outer surface of the material 47c surrounding the 40. outlet box 30.

binding-plate. 55. The base portion of thecenterv contact 50 is clamped in-place on the insulatingv base 48 by means of the-binding- 4plate 55.

The binding-terminal 51 comprises a binding-plate58 secured to the base 48 by means of a screw 59, and comprises also a, binding- Screw 60 threaded into thebind-ing-plate.

The base of the side contact 52 maybe clamped to the insulating base 48 by means of the binding-plate 58. -The contacts 50 and 52 maybe of sheet spring material,

which yields in the direction in which the connector device ,35 is inserted. i The eonnect0r`member 35 comprises an insulating base 61, center .and side contacts 62 and 63, respectively, supported by the insulating base 61, for engagement with the centerand side contacts 50 and 52, respectively, of the wiring base, and binding terminals v64 and 65 for the center and sidecontacts' 62 and 63, respectively, also supported by the;l insulating base 61 (Figs. 4, 5, 25, and. 26 f The bindingterminal 64 comprises a bindlng-plate 66 secured to the insulatingpbase 61 by means of a screw 67, and comprises also a plurality of binding-screws 68 threaded into the binding-plate 66. The screw 67l also extends through an' opening in the base Y of the center contact 62 to securethe center contact to the insulating base 61. If desired, an additional binding-screw 69- may be provided or the center contact 62. This binding-screw 69 may extend through-an opening in the base of the center contact and bey threaded into a nut loca ed in a recess underneath the base of the centerfcontact.v The insulating base 61` may be provided with an openin 70 for `the passage of the conductor which 1s secured to the binding-screw 69.

The binding-terminal 65 comprises a binding-plate 71 secured to the insulating base 61 by means of a screw 72, and a plurality of binding-screws 73 threaded into the binding plate 71. The "screw -72 also extends through an ear 74 on the side contact 63 and thus serves to .assist in holding'the side contact in place on the base 61, and also serves to electrically connect the side `Contact 63 and the binding-terminal 65. If desired, an.

additional` binding-screw 75v may be provided for the binding-terminal 65. This binding screw 75 may extend through an openingrin anear 76 on the vside contact 63,

and may-be threaded into a nut located in a recess in the base 61 underneath the ear 76. The base 6l may be provided with an openingl 77 .for the passage of the conductorl leadingtoifthe binding-screw 7 5. As additional securing means for the side contact 63, an eyelet `7 8 may be provided extending through an opening in the ear 79 on the side contact 63, and through an-opening in the insulating base 61.

The side contact 63 is circular in form, ,so-

that it will engage'the side contact 52 of the wiring base no matter in .what position the connector device 35 may be inserted.

The threaded connector 36 may be of formed sheet-metal, having areduced neck portion 80 which extends through an opening in the support 34 and has its upper edge 'flanged over vals indicated at 81, to secure it to said support.

The connecting member or ring 37 may be of formed sheet-metal having an inwardlyextending vHang-e 82 at its upper edge, which bears, against the lower face of an annular fiange 83 on the insulating ,base 61. The

lower edge of the connecting member 37 may be rolled over -'to add' strength to the 4connecting member and give it a finished appearance, as indicated at 84.

In assembling the outlet fitting, the support 34 carryino the lwiring base 32 and the connecting memrber 36, is rst secured in poj sition by means of the screws 41. The outconnecting member 36. 'The connector memlet-box cover'31 is then screwed on over the ber 35 is then placed in position with respect to the connecting ring 37 so that the lowest face of the flange 83 is in engagement with the inwardly-extending flange 82, and the connector member 35 is then inserted Within 'the connector member 36 and the connecting ring 37 is screwed intofthe connector member4 36, which causes the center and side contacts 62 and 63 to be brought into electrical connection'with the center and side con tacts 50 and 52 of the Wiring base.

The circuit is from one ofthe leading-in Wires 33 to the binding-terminal 49, center contact 50, center contact 62, binding-terminal 64, through the lamp or other trans- I lating device to the ,binding-terminal 65,

-plate 85 may be secured to' the outlet box 86 in substantially the same manner in which the support 34'is secured to the outlet box 30. `A shallow outlet-box cover 87 may be screwed on over the connecting member 36. The connecting member 36 co-operates with the connector member 35 and with the counecting ring 37 just as it'does in the forms of Figs-1 to 5.

In Figs. 9 and 10 my invention is shown in connection with an electrical condulet 88. In this form the wiring base 89 is substantially the same as in the forms previously Vdescribed except thaty it is providedwith a pair of feet 90, which may be sheet-metal -stampings, secured to the wiring base 89 by meansA of screws 91. The connecting,

member 36 is the same as in the forms previously described, and is secured to a fiat sheet-metal plate 92, which .is secured .to

theside of thecondulet by means of screws 93, the screws 93 also serving to sec'ure the feet 9050i the wiring base in position.-

The Iconductors in the condulet are connected tothe binding-terminals on the wir- .37 threaded into the connector member 36.

In the form of my invention shown in Figs. 11 and 12, a bracket 94 is secured to the end of'a conduit 95, and an ornamental cover 96 is secured to the bracket 94 by means 'of screws 97. The wiring base 98 is secured in any suitable manner in a sheetmetal socket member 99, which is secured to the ornamental cover 96 in any suitable manneras by flanging over the upper edge of the socket member 99, as indicated at 100. vIf desired, a suitable finishing sleeve 101 may be placed around the socket member 99 and secured in position by Hanging as indicated at 102.

The 'wiring base 98 is provided with a pair of openings 103, through which the conductors 104 are led to the binding-terminals 105 and 106, respectively, for the .over the lower-edge of the socket member,

center and side contacts 107 and 108, respectively. The connector device 35 mayy be secured in position with respect to the wiringbase 98 by means'of the threaded ring 37 screwed into the threaded portion 109 of the socket member 99.

In the form of my invention shown in Fig. 13, the connecting member 36 is se- .cured to a sheet-metal plate 110, which is secured to the wiring base 111 by means of screws 112, which also serve to secure the Wiring vbase to a bracket or strap 113 which extends across the rear face of the wirin base and is provided with feet 114 to be secured to an outlet box. An ornamental cover 115 may be screwed onto the connecting member 36. The use of the wiring base 111 and theconnecting member 36 is the .same as in the forms previously-described.

In Figs. 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 my invention is shown in connect-ion with an outlet fitting having a flush cover for the outlet. In this form the connecting member 116 is substantially the same as the connecting member 36 previous described, except that it is provided with two opposite notches or recesses 117 (Fig. 18), which are positioned to receive the lugs or projections 118 on the connector member 119. The connector member 119 is substantially the same as the connector member 35 previously described, With the exception of the lugs 118 just referred to and the side contacts 120, which are simply two metal stampings secured to the insulating base by means of eyelets 121, in position to engage the side contact 52 of the Wiring base 111 when the lugs .118 enter the notches 117. The wiring base ings 125 for the insertion of screws whereby pair of legs or standards 130 to which it is i secured by means of screws 131. The standards 130 are secured to a flat sheet-metal plate 132, by means of screws 133. The plate 132 is provided with openings 134 through which screws may into lugs on the outlet box. The connector member 135 is provided with anoutwardlyextending flange 136 which is clamped between the feet of the standards 130 and the plate 132. The inner end of the connector member 135 is provided with an inwardlyextending` flange 137, which forms a shoulder with which the fiange 83 of the connector member 35 engages. The connecting ring 37 may be the same as in the forms previously described. I n this form, however, the rounded rolled-over outer ed e of the ring 37 may serve to hold the linishing cover 138 in position.

In Figs. 20,21, 22, 23, and 24 my invention is shown in connection with a duplex receptacle. In this form of my invention the wiring base 139 issecurednto standards 140 by means of screws 141. These standards 140 are in turn secured to the iiat sheet-metal plate 142 by means of screws 143. The plate 142 may be secured in any suitable manner to the outer portion 144 of the outlet-box.

The inner portion 145 of the outlet-box may be lcircular in form, whereas the outer portion 144 may be rectangular in form to conform to the finishing cover146, which in this type of receptacle is usually rectangular. The rectangular outer portion 144 of the outlet-box may have an outwardly-extending flange 147, circular in outline, which extends over the edges of the inner circular portion 145 ofthe outlet-box. The outer portion 144 may be secured to the inner portion in any suitable manner, as by means of screws 148 extending through the flange 147 and threaded into suitably-positioned lugs on the inner portion 145 of the outlet-box.

The connector member 35 and the connect- `ing ring 37'may be the same as in the forms previously described. The ring 37 may assist in holding the 'ornamental cover 146 in place, as in the form shown in Fig. 19.

In this form of my invention means are provided for the attachment of a quick-detachable connector device, such as the cap of a separable attachment p'lug. For this purbe inserted to be screwed.

pose quick-detachable contacts 149 and 150 are'secured on the insulatin base 139 and electrically connected with t e binding-terminals 49 and 51 of the wiring base. The quick-detachable contact 149 is secured to a metal stamping 151, which is electrically connected with the binding-terminal 51 by means of a screw 152 and a conductor strip 153. The screw 152 also serves to hold the metal stampingv151 in position on the base 139. In a similar manner, tlie contact 150 is secured to a metal stamping 154, which is electrically connected with tliebinding-terminal 49 by means of a screw 155 and a con.-l ductor strip 156.

An insulating member 157 is provided for housing and insulating the contacts 149 and 150." This membei 157 is secured to the base 139 by means of a screw 158 lextending through `an opening in the base 139 and threadedinto a nut 159 which is imbedded in the insulating member 157. The member 157 is provided w-ith suitable recesses 160,161

in which are located the contacts 149, 150, respectively.

The. circuit for that part of the receptacle just described is from the binding-terminal 49 through the conductor strip '156, screw 155, stamping 154, contact 150, through the co-operating connector device and translating device, to the contact 149, and through the stamping 151, screw 152, and conductor strip 153 to the binding-terminal 51.'

In Figs. 27 and 28 is shown a form of connector device which may be used in connection with" the various wiring bases previously'described, and which may be held in position with respectto these wiring bases by means of the threaded connector ring 37.

This-connector device comprises an insulating base 162, center and side contacts 163 and 164 supported by the insulating base 162, for engagement with the center and side contacts of the wiring base, and center and shell contacts 165 and 166, respectively, electrically connected with the center and side contacts 163. and 164, respectively. The center and shell contacts 165 and 166 are constructed to receive and engage the correspondin contacts of a lamp-base or other insertab e device. The center contact 163 may be the` upper end of aneyelet 167, the lower end of which extends through the centerl contact 165 to secure iton thebase 162. The shell contact 166 may be held upon the base l162 and electrically connected with the side contact 164 by means of eyelets 168. The insulating base 162 is provided with an annular iiange 169 the lower edge of which is engaged by the inwardly-extending flange 82 of the connecting ring 37 when the base 162 isv in position with respect to the wiring y herein, of m copending application Serial I No. 36,819, fi ed June 28, 1915, outlet fittings.

I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States:

1. An electrical connector device comprising an insulating arch-shaped support, wing portions extending laterally from the central portion of said arch, two wiring terminals, one supported by each wing portion, and two contact members, one connected with each wiring terminal and each having a contact'portion embraced by the arch.

2. An electrical connector device comprising an arch-shaped insulating base having two wing portions extending from the central portion of the arch on opposite sides thereof, two wiring terminals one supported by each wing portion, a U-shaped contact member having its central portion connected to one o f said wiring terminals and the ends of its arms lying within said arch and forming contact portions, anda second contact member secured to the other wiring terminal and having a contact rtion lying between the arms of said U-s aped contact.

3. An electrical connector device comprising two separable connector members, one of said separable connector members having a center contact member and a side contact member, said side contact member comprising a substantially V-shaped member having arms straddling said center contact and having its central portion secured adjacent said center contact.

4. An electrical connector device compris- -ing two separable connector members, one of said separable connector members comprising an insulating base having a center contact member and a side contact member mounted thereon, said side contact member comprising a substantially V-shaped contact member having arms straddlin said center contact and having its centra portion secured adjacent said center contact, and a binding plate for clamping the central portion of said side contact member on said vinsulating base.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name. Y

REUBEN B. BENJAMIN. 

